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Richard Hanania's Newsletter focuses on foreign policy, American politics, and social science through a critical lens, examining themes such as personal growth, societal issues, the impact of ideology on culture and education, the dynamics of American political movements, and the implications of technology and capitalism. It challenges current narratives, offering insights on a wide range of topics from the abortion debate to the nature of intellectual engagement.

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The hottest Substack posts of Richard Hanania's Newsletter

And their main takeaways

Towards an Enlightened Centrism

3950 implied HN points • 22 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Politics Centrism Policy Ideology
  1. Enlightened Centrists value exposure to a wide range of political views without clinging to ideological diversity just for the sake of it.
  2. Enlightened Centrists share traits like rationalism, non-zero-sum thinking, belief in progress, and skepticism of old philosophy.
  3. Enlightened Centrists may come from different political ideologies but prioritize sound political and social analysis over tribal thinking.

How Woke Led to Cultural Decadence

3438 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Film Gender Race Art Pop culture
  1. Cultural critics are concerned about the decline in original storytelling in movies, with studios relying more on established franchises.
  2. The influence of 'woke' ideology on art can limit the creation of compelling works by disregarding the natural differences and gendered characteristics between men and women.
  3. Wokeness has impacted art in areas like race representation in fantasy worlds, creating challenges for new storytelling while established franchises remain unaffected.

The Von Erich Curse

1560 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Wrestling Family Tragedy American culture
  1. The Von Erich family faced a series of tragedies and cursed outcomes, leading to a significant impact on their lives and professional wrestling careers.
  2. The Von Erichs were emblematic of an era in wrestling where personal struggles and behind-the-scenes challenges often contradicted the public image portrayed.
  3. The Von Erich story serves as a cautionary tale about the effects of social contagion, family dynamics, and the perils of fame and the wrestling industry.
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Fat Shaming and Free Will

3803 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Obesity Free will Genetics Behavior
  1. Some argue that being overweight is not a choice, but a result of genetic and environmental factors.
  2. The concept of 'choice' is defined as a human behavior that responds to incentives.
  3. Shaming can play a role in influencing behaviors like eating and exercise, as seen with smoking cessation campaigns.

Politics Isn't Why You're Single

1560 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Relationships Ideology
  1. Political polarization does not significantly impact young people's ability to form relationships across ideological lines.
  2. Claims that it's harder for conservative men to date liberal women due to political differences may not be accurate in all situations.
  3. People often misunderstand the dynamics of forming relationships based on political beliefs.

MAGA, Brain Drain, Not Practicing Law, My First Book, and More

1194 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Government Ideology Education Identity
  1. The author discusses various topics in response to reader questions, such as why he didn't practice law after obtaining a J.D. from a top school and the value of his law school education.
  2. There's an interesting perspective shared on MAGA and the concept of 'Bullying Grandma,' highlighting the author's view on the emotional dynamics within the movement.
  3. The author shares insights on the likelihood of new educational institutions like University of Austin Texas and the Peterson Academy successfully challenging traditional educational systems.

Thirteen Thoughts on Saddam Hussein

1097 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
💾 History Geopolitics Iraq Family Middle East
  1. Saddam Hussein was a remarkable figure who rose to power through hard work and intelligence, despite his brutal actions.
  2. Saddam's past as a teenager foreshadowed his future behavior as a leader, showing the impact of his upbringing on his decisions.
  3. The Middle East faced limited ideological paths, with Saddam's choices influenced by this environment and his conspiratorial worldview.

German Militarism and the Virtues of Hypocrisy

1048 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
💾 History Politics Culture Military Monarchy
  1. Otto von Bismarck's 'blood and iron' speech was a pivotal moment that shaped Prussia's history and led to Germany's unification.
  2. Jonathan Steinberg's biography offers insight into the politics and culture of 19th-century Germany through direct quotes from major figures like Bismarck.
  3. Despite impressive accomplishments during and after Bismarck's reign, Germany faced challenges including maintaining a powerful monarchy and conservative elite, which played a role in the tumultuous first half of the 20th century.

Did Mercantilism Cause the Napoleonic Wars?

950 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
💾 History Wars Historiography Biographies
  1. Napoleon was a brilliant general, winning 47 out of 60 battles he fought, showing his outstanding strategic and tactical skills.
  2. The French during Napoleon's time were more open-minded towards sexual indiscretions, contrasting with the stricter norms of later Victorian eras.
  3. Andrew Roberts is working on a book about Napoleon and his marshals, exploring the dynamics between them during the Napoleonic Wars.

Mailbag #2

390 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🎙 Podcasts Questions
  1. The author is conducting a mailbag session where people can ask questions in the comments. The questions with the most likes will be answered in the next week or two.
  2. Readers can choose between written responses or a podcast format for the answers to their questions.
  3. There is a poll being conducted to gauge public opinion on whether the audience prefers written responses or a podcast format for the mailbag.

Origins of Woke Discount, Origins of Ukraine War, Natcon as a Vibes Movement, and More

341 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
  1. The Kindle version of 'The Origins of Woke' is on sale for $1.99, despite the physical version keeping its original price. Amazon might be targeting price-sensitive readers.
  2. There are various topics covered in the post, like National Conservatism as a vibes movement, the Ukraine war, the coming biotech revolution, and more.
  3. Readers can access additional content by subscribing to Richard Hanania's newsletter with a 7-day free trial.